News Stories from 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018: Santa came to the Brainerd VFW. His arrival was preceded by singalong of Christmas music with the help of harmonica music by Junior Vice Commander Mike Williams. It culminated with "Here comes Santa Clause." A fun event for young and old alike.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018: The monthly VFW and Auxiliary meeting started out with awards to the Patriot Pen essay competition winners followed by coloring contest winners and their teachers. Brainerd VFW Auxiliary member Paula Persons told about the Daughters of the American Revolution organization. A big welcome to Phil Philbin who recently moved to Brainerd from Arizona. He was an infantryman in Vietnam and has two Purple Hearts.
November 22, 2018: Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Monday, November 12, 2018: Veterans Day ceremony at Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd. About 500 were in attendance as kids sang and told their stories of gratitude to veterans. A veteran and his wife spoke of their life in the military. Veterans were thanked afterward for their service to our county.
Sunday, November 11, 2018: Veterans Day at the All veterans Memorial in Brainerd. This was the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day/Veterans Day marking the end of World War One. A crowd gathered at 11 am. Reverend Todd Wooden gave the prayers and the crowd sang God Bless America. Mayor Darrel Olson of Baxter was the main speaker. He told of the sacrifices and courage of our armed forces making it possible for our freedom today.
Friday, November 9, 2018: Veterans Day ceremonies were held at the Brainerd High School. Bataan survivor Walt Straka was there along with with at least 500 students and many veterans. Retired Brigadier General Art Ludwig spoke as did his daughter Retired Colonel Laura Ludwig. All veterans were recognized with a standing ovation. About ten WWII and Korea veterans received quilts of honor. It was pointed out that 10% of military people today are women and the number is growing. The Brainerd High combined choirs, the Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony performed.
Saturday, October 13, 2018: The Brainerd VFW held its annual dinner for members and guests. It was a full house with a lot of good conversation and food. Door prizes were awarded too.
Saturday, October 6, 2018: The Brainerd High School Homecoming Parade. A color guard from the VFW, American Legion and DAV was there at the head of the parade. Temperatures were in the 50s and there was a good turnout.
September 24, 2018: With the Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy competition in full swing, the Brainerd VFW went on the radio to tell the story. The first photo shows Danny Wild of KLIZ-FM interviewing Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons on September 19th. Mark was also heard on KUAL-FM and B93-FM that day. The next photo is Brainerd VFW Auxiliary member Paula Persons and her husband Mark being interviewed in a simulcast on WWWI AM/FM and KLKS-FM Radio on September 24th. Learn more about the competitions before the October 31, 2018, deadline.
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September 14-16-2018: The Minnesota VFW Fall Conference was held in Willmar, MN. Nine members of the Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary were in attendance. The event was a good way to learn and exchange ideas with VFW members from around the state.
September 7, 2018: An Honor Guard, made up of members of the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd VFW and Crow Wing County DAV, helped at three funerals in the Minnesota State Military Cemetery at Camp Ripley. They do this once a month summer and winter.
Saturday, September 8, 2018: The Bataan Memorial Death March. http://gilbertlodge.com/2018/09-08a-18-bataan-march.html
Sunday, August 24, 2018: The Brainerd VFW's annual picnic at St. Mathias Park drew about 125 people. Many thanks to Walmart for providing, preparing, and serving much of the food. There was bean bag tossing and much more fun that afternoon.
Saturday, August 18, 2018: The second annual Freedom Festival was held at the Jenkins, Minnesota, VFW Post. It was a coordinated effort between the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary and the Jenkins VFW Auxiliary. Lots of fun a prizes. There was a proper flag burning ceremony for worn-out flags.
August 8-12, 2018: The Brainerd VFW hosted the annual Minnesota State Baseball Tournament. The photos below tell the story.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018: Vietnam veteran recognition ceremonies were held at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds. A musical group played and sang patriotic music. Vietnam veterans were welcomed home and thanked for their service.
Monday, August 6, 2018: A&W Restaurants offered free root beer floats in return for a donation to Disabled American Veterans. (photos below) Locals who attended at the Nisswa A&W included (l-r) Crow Wing County DAV Chapter 22 Commander Dave Meyer (seen with the A&W bear). The group photo shows Steve Rosenow, Paula & Mark Persons, Mike & Karen Williams, then Karen Rosenow.
Friday, July 13, 2018: Wounded Warrior softball played in Brainerd.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018: Brainerd Elks offered a free picnic lunch to veterans and their families. Everyone had a good time. Our thanks to Elks 615.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018: Independence Day in Brainerd. There was a parade, followed by the National Anthem and Fireworks. The July 10th post meetings included a presentation by post member Mark Persons who told about Civil War re-enactments that are held in Pipestone, MN.
June 14, 2018: Flag Day. Brainerd VFW Junior Vice Commander Mike Williams was given a quilt from the Brainerd chapter of Quilts of Valor. Mike spent one year aboard the USS Hancock, CVA-19, an attack aircraft carrier in the Tonkin Gulf on the South China Sea at Vietnam 1972-73.
Mail Call from Mike:
I got the call to go and fight, when I was just a lad;
A distant war was brewing, a thought that made me sad.
For I knew that I would have to go, and leave family and friends behind;
But Uncle Sam was calling; my choice was clear in mind.
So I left the shores of American, and sailed to a land far away.
To fight an evil enemy, that is still there today.
The wheels of war turn loudly, 24 hours a day,
It leaves little time to ponder; I wonder how they are doing today?
Day by day, as time went by, my mind would often race,
Again I would wonder what they were doing, as my mind's eye clearly saw each face.
So it was no wonder that we waited for the "cargo net" to fall,
For collectively we all knew, that it was time for mail call.
A Warrior is always happy, when the letters come from home,
For it gives him a sense of reason, and he knows he is not alone.
If even for a little while, he can leave the war behind,
Please know that he will find solace, and a little piece of mind.
So keep those card and letters coming, to the warrior who is far away.
For it gives him the strength and courage, to return to you someday.
Michael Williams
Hospital Corpsman
U.S.S. Hancock CVA-19
Active Duty, 1969-1973
I got the call to go and fight, when I was just a lad;
A distant war was brewing, a thought that made me sad.
For I knew that I would have to go, and leave family and friends behind;
But Uncle Sam was calling; my choice was clear in mind.
So I left the shores of American, and sailed to a land far away.
To fight an evil enemy, that is still there today.
The wheels of war turn loudly, 24 hours a day,
It leaves little time to ponder; I wonder how they are doing today?
Day by day, as time went by, my mind would often race,
Again I would wonder what they were doing, as my mind's eye clearly saw each face.
So it was no wonder that we waited for the "cargo net" to fall,
For collectively we all knew, that it was time for mail call.
A Warrior is always happy, when the letters come from home,
For it gives him a sense of reason, and he knows he is not alone.
If even for a little while, he can leave the war behind,
Please know that he will find solace, and a little piece of mind.
So keep those card and letters coming, to the warrior who is far away.
For it gives him the strength and courage, to return to you someday.
Michael Williams
Hospital Corpsman
U.S.S. Hancock CVA-19
Active Duty, 1969-1973
May 28, 2018: Memorial Day ceremonies were held in Brainerd, MN, starting with throwing a wreath in the Mississippi River to honor those who died at sea. Then on to the All Veterans Memorial, the Brainerd National Guard Armory, a parade in NE Brainerd, speeches at Evergreen Cemetery, then lunch at the American Legion.
May 27, 2018: Memorial Day Ceremonies at Camp Ripley: gilbertlodge.com/2018/05-27a-18-little-falls.html
May 25 - 26, 2018: Preparations were underway for Memorial Day on May 28th. Evergreen Cemetery was being mowed while people were decorating grave sites. The Memorial Day Committee was out at Memorial Gardens and Evergreen Cemetery putting up flags with the help of area Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
May 23, 2018: Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons (upper right in the first photo) was interviewed on WJJY and KBLB Radio about the upcoming Memorial Day services. An award was received from the American Red Cross for hosting blood drives at the VFW. Some 1126 units of blood have been drawn plus 63 units on May 23rd. Buttons were being made that night for the Minnesota State VFW Baseball Tournament in Brainerd this August. The Traveling Art Pub was at the VFW showing about fifteen ladies how to paint. Nicely done.
Sunday, May 20, 2018: The annual memorial service was held for deceased members of Brainerd VFW Post 1647. The ceremony was filled with emotion while songs America the Beautiful, God Bless America, and Just a Closer Walk With Thee were played. In Flanders Field poem by John McCrae was read as well. Tears were shed for obvious reasons.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018: Brainerd VFW Post 1647 received an award for charitable contributions to the Good Samaritan fund raising bowling tournament. Post Junior Vice Commander Mike Williams showed off new leather jacks for the Honor Guard. Dinner that night was tacos. Cribbage and good conversation followed the Post and Auxiliary meetings. T shirts are now available for sale in the meeting area.
Saturday, May 5, 2018: There was a Chicken Alfredo fund raising dinner for the Brainerd High School Trap and Skeet shooting team. About every chair at the Brainerd VFW was filled and the dinner went well. The team was out at the Lakeshore Rod and Gun Club shooing range the next day to polish their skills. They are partially sponsored by the Brainerd VFW.
May 1, 2018: A Vietnam Veterans Recognition and Veterans Town Hall meeting was held at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Brainerd. Vietnam veterans were recognized for their service and given a proclamation along with a handshake and medal for their service. The town hall meeting was an opportunity for veterans to express their views and ask questions of VA representatives. In addition, there was a ribbon cutting for a 3900 square foot addition to the VA clinic. That includes fifteen exam rooms for audiology and optometry. The clinic now has 20,000 square feet to serve veterans.
April 20, 2018: The Brainerd VFW hosted a membership dinner for Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. Over sixty attended and had a great time in a party atmosphere. Food was Surf and Turf....steak and jumbo shrimp. Thanks to Chuck, Karen and the rest of the kitchen crew for a great meal.
Bataan Death March Remembered: gilbertlodge.com/2018/04-09a-18-bataan.html
March 13, 2018: Doris Krueger from the Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project gave a talk at the Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary monthly meeting. This program for juveniles shifts the focus from punishment to restoring and healing. March 21, 2018: Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary members got together to put poppies on cards, which go out to area businesses. Some went on the wall in honor of veterans. Yes, there was popcorn for the workers that day! Poppy Days in Brainerd and Baxter are Friday and Saturday, May 18th and 19th. The public gives donations for poppies. All of the money goes to help veterans. April 4, 2018: (bottom row) Helen Doucette celebrated her 84th birthday at the VFW. Helen is Sr. Vice President of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary.
March 17, 2018: (photos above) The Brainerd Downtown Association used the Brainerd VFW as a place to hold their annual St. Patrick's Day Kid's Costume Contest. Two bicycles were given away along with other prizes. The VFW served corned beef and cabbage. Then a parade was held on streets nearby, led by the Honor Guard.
March 12, 2018: (photos above) About a thousand veterans gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol for the annual "Vet's on the Hill" day. They marched up the capitol steps with flags and then heard speeches by state legislators in the capitol rotunda, followed by break-out sessions for questions and answers with legislators from their districts. Many questions were very direct in asking for more veterans homes and legislation favoring veterans. WCCO Television was there to do interviews. Six Brainerd veterans attended.
March 3, 2018: The annual Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota was held at the Breezy Point Resort. The Brainerd VFW has been a big sponsor of the event and won the best costume competition the previous two years. This time they were dressed in Black as the Addams Family. The Walmart team was judged best costume this year with their red cone hats. Plungers raise money for this charity by diving into icy water. The last photos in this gallery show Brainerd VFW Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson and his daughter Bergen. Every year they say it is their last, but every year they are back for another dunking in 33 degree water. That's dedication! Some 326 plungers raised over $74,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota this year.
February 17, 2018: A Minnesota State VFW Pistol Shooting Competition was held in Brainerd. It was a joint effort between the Brainerd VFW and the Jenkins, MN, VFW. Competition officials/range officers were Tex Stafford and Tim Brastrup (seen in yellow jackets) from the Jenkins VFW. Fifteen shooters competed in 22 caliber and Open Class shooting. The event went off without a hitch. The most heard comment was they'd like to do it again next year. Ladies from the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary prepared a great lunch for the hungry crew of about 30. A big thanks to the many volunteers involved. Winners: Ray Cowan, Post 3839, Jenkins; Tommy Johnson, Post 246, Minneapolis; Mike Williams, Post 1647, Brainerd; John Gieson, Post 5145, New Prague; and Chad Solheid, Minneapolis.
February 15, 2018: (photos above) Funeral for 95 year old Willard Erickson. The Honor Guard was from the Brainerd American Legion, VFW, and DAV. Erickson was a Master Sergeant serving in WWII and Korea. May he rest in peace. Ceremonies like this are a frequent occurrence with ten during a two week period in February.
January 19-21, 2018: The annual VFW Mid-Winter Conference was held in Minneapolis. Those attending from Brainerd included Commander Chip Borle and his wife Kari, Vice Commander Dave Meyer, Junior Vice Commander Mike Williams and his wife Karen, Quartermaster Pat Wing, Vet's Gazette Editor Dawn Garin, Auxiliary Senior Vice President Helen Doucette along with Webmaster Mark Persons and his wife Paula. Brainerd made a great showing by donating $2000 to veterans homes. Recruiting new VFW members was stressed. Also on hand were 6th District Voice of Democracy winner Connor Kockler from Sauk Rapids and state VOD winner Logan Ledman from Northfield. A large gathering of participants gave a SKOL showing support for the Vikings. The gathering was a good way to learn more about the VFW organization and meet new friends. You can look forward to Vets on the Hill on March 12th. It is a great way to see the Minnesota State Capitol and influence legislators.
